Theme: Rock On!
17A. *Cardiologically healthy, as a diet : HEART SMART
25A. *Affectionate apron inscription : KISS THE COOK
40A. *Commuter's headache : RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC
50A. *Title for Aretha Franklin : QUEEN OF SOUL
63A. Musical conductor ... and, literally, what the start of each answer to a starred clue is : BANDLEADER
Argyle here. Rock bands with one word names lead off two or three word in language phrases. A grid spanner anchors the middle with solid little blocks all around. A couple of descending strings help tie it all together. Should prove entertaining. I'm not comfortable with the reveal; it seams to be asking for a Shaw or Goodman. The answers lead off with a band, not a bandleader. HEADBAND. My nit.
Feel free to link your favorite song by these groups.
Across:
1. "Goodbye, Columbus" author Philip : ROTH
5. High anxiety : ANGST
10. Me-time resorts : SPAs
14. Fencing choice : EPEE
15. Trip the light fantastic : DANCE
16. Quarterback-turned-congressman Jack : KEMP. NY congressman after QBing for Buffalo Bills. VP candidate with Bob Dole.
19. River of Pisa : ARNO
20. Wide variety : ARRAY
21. Gauge showing rpm : TACH. (tachometer)
23. How Marcie addresses Peppermint Patty : SIR. from Peanuts.
24. Howl at the moon : BAY. Been there, done that.
29. On its way : SENT
30. Handmade scarf stuff : YARN
31. Radar dot : BLIP
34. Chic modifier : TRÈS
37. Pay hike : RAISE
43. See eye to eye : AGREE
44. __ fide: in bad faith : MALA
45. "Teh" for "The," say : TYPO
46. Dry as the Atacama : ARID. Some like it Chile.
48. Omelet necessities : EGGS
54. Fabric flaw : RIP
57. Address bar address : URL
58. Pilot's alphabet ender : ZULU. An alternate ending is Zebra.
59. Wear away gradually : ERODE
61. Long-billed wader : IBIS
66. Charge : RATE
67. "Lucky" aviator, familiarly : LINDY. Charles Lindbergh
68. Stew veggies : PEAS
69. Was sure about : KNEW
70. Crème de la crème : ELITE
71. Footprint part : SOLE
Down:
1. Detox program : REHAB
2. Word before house or after horse : OPERA
3. In need of tissues : TEARY
4. Wife of Zeus : HERA
5. Promos : ADs
6. "China Beach" war zone, for short : NAM
7. Swarming pests : GNATS
8. "Ice Age" saber-toothed squirrel : SCRAT. He managed to get some product endorsements.
9. Easily annoyed : TETCHY. Same as touchy?
10. Caribbean music : SKA
11. Be the epitome of : PERSONIFY
12. Prenatal test, for short : AMNIO. (Amniocentesis)
13. Hybrid utensil : SPORK
18. Kid : TYKE
22. "Do I __ Waltz?": Rodgers/Sondheim musical : HEAR A. 1965 Broadway
26. A big fan of : INTO
27. Doodle on the guitar : STRUM
28. Summer camp activities : CRAFTS
29. Globe : SPHERE
31. Lingerie item : BRA
32. Carry with effort : LUG
33. Descendant of Jacob : ISRAELITE
35. Obama __ : ERA
36. Fifth cen. pope called "The Great" : ST. LEO
38. Small taste : SIP
39. Environmental prefix : ECO
41. "57 Varieties" brand : HEINZ
42. Classico rival : RAGU
47. Look-alike : DOUBLE
49. High spirits : GLEE
50. Peculiarity : QUIRK
51. Living in the city : URBAN
52. Swing wildly : FLAIL
53. Branch of Islam : SUNNI
54. Event with lots of horsing around? : RODEO
55. Flawless : IDEAL
56. Intrinsically : PER SE
60. Emulates Eminem : RAPS
62. Darn things : SEW
64. Prohibited pesticide : DDT. (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
65. Chemical in Drano crystals : LYE
Argyle
